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An encounter between the Prime Minister and a disgruntled local pensioner thrust the Hunter into the national headlines.

The world-famous Novocastrian and former Silverchair front man will be sentenced in June, after pleading guilty to high-range drink-driving. In March, the musician's car crossed to the wrong side of the Pacific Highway at North Arm Cove and collided with a van.

Denman's Bela East is determined to get her P-plates, and so she is heading to Gunnedah, two and a half hours away, for a high-stakes driving test. We wish her all the best, but why has it come to this? 

Koalas have been listed as endangered across most of the country's east coast, and they could be extinct by 2050. The devastating bushfires of a couple of years ago wiped out large numbers of the marsupials.

After some heartache and lots of saving, ABC Upper Hunter's Amelia Bernasconi has managed to get her foot on the property ladder.

What happens to egg-laying hens once they can't earn their keep? Thousands of lucky chickens have been re-homed by local group Let The Ladies Go.

The state government has created a regional health division within the Ministry of Health, which it says will better service the unique needs of people outside the big cities. It comes just months after the government apologised for the standard of services in rural and regional areas.

As the cost of living continues to rise, you might be wondering how you can save a few dollars here and there. We have some tips.

The winning Sydney Roosters team featured some talented Hunter-based footballers. Scone's Yasmin Meakes scored a try to help her team take the premiership, after a guard of honour at her day job at Scone Grammar School last week.

Joe Dufty from Gillieston Heights is only 16 years old, but he's getting ready to grace international stages with his incredible skill.

Stuart Bonds has been a One Nation candidate, but is now running for the seat of Hunter as an independent. His candidate page on Facebook has been pulled down.

Jason has turned his love of two wheels into a job. Originally from Gloucester, he's competed in mountain bike and endurance events around the world.

A rainbow will brighten your day, but what about a rainbow where the colours are replaced by white fog? Penny from Vacy spotted her first fogbow in her paddock.

New HMRI boss: Psychologist and mental health researcher Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin will be the new director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute for the next five years. She will take over from Professor Mike Calford next month.

Redhead sand plan: Redhead Beach was stripped of sand during last weekend's huge seas, and it could take up to two years for it to return naturally. But Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says sand dredged from Swansea Channel could be used to replenish the beach.

Woman allegedly held captive: A man is facing a raft of charges after allegedly holding a woman against her will underneath a house in Woodberry. Police allege the 18-year-old man forced an 18-year-old woman off a train at Beresfield train station on Monday afternoon. Police raided a home on Windemere Avenue around 3am where they found the man and woman under a trapdoor.

Oyster concerns: It's a tough time for Port Stephens oyster growers, with heavy rainfall affecting water quality and delaying the harvest. The local estuary is currently closed. It comes at a particularly bad time, given the usual high demand for seafood during Easter.

Ash dam study: The state's environmental watchdog is going to look at the effects coal ash dams have on the water in southern Lake Macquarie. Coal ash is the waste that's generated by the coal that's burnt at the Vales Point and Eraring power stations. The study should be finished by the middle of next year.

Free events: The City of Newcastle says more than 40 free night events will be held in the city centre from the end of this month. The state government has provided $500,000 in funding for the series called 'Autumn Alive' to boost the hospitality, events, arts and culture sectors.

How pretty is this view! Sunrises in Newcastle are the best sunrises. 😍 A big thanks to @road_tripping_oz for sharing this stunning picture of Stockton with us. 

You can show everyone what the world looks like where you live by using the hashtag #ABCmyphoto on Instagram or by uploading your photos online here. 

It'll be cloudy with showers for the next couple of days, but the good news is that the showers will clear, and it will be mostly sunny for the Easter break. There will be a top of 24 degrees Celsius for Good Friday, 25 on Saturday and Sunday, and an extra-warm 28 on Monday. Enjoy the break, and we hope the bunny hops by with choccies.

The serenity! Carol Swadling snapped this gorgeous pic of a misty morning at Merewether Beach this week. How did it grab our attention? She uploaded it on Instagram, using the hashtag #ABCmyphoto.

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ABC Newcastle acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.